This Week in Baguio (August 22 to 28, 2016)

August and September are considered typhoon season in the country as most of the typhoons passing through the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) are experienced during these months. In Baguio, there will be cloudy skies with thunderstorms for the whole week. Travelers are advised to be more careful. Browsing the PAGASA Facebook page for weather advisories before heading out to the City of Pines is recommended.

Visiting Baguio this week on a rainy day? Read Adventure Doesn’t Stop When It’s Pouring in Baguio.

Traffic is reduced to one lane to and from Harrison Road and other city inroads because of the cross-drains constructions of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The daily rains experienced in Baguio the past couple of weeks have hampered the efforts of the contractors to hasten the aforementioned construction.

Meanwhile, those who wish to take Kennon Road going up to Baguio can expect an additional 30 minutes or so to their travel time due to road constructions. Further, it is recommended to check road advisories if one wants to pass by Kennon Road this rainy season. Marcos Highway, now known as Ben Palispis Highway, is still the safest route going up to Baguio. However, DPWH usually enforces a “travel-at-your-own-risk” policy if the rains are harder than usual or if there are typhoons.

Associated Editors Co. affords everyone the chance to train with the masters in the Word Cup (Baguio City) Journalism Seminar Series. Participants can learn photojournalism and sharpen their skills in writing news, sports, science, feature and editorial articles. Trainers include professional lecturers in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (CALABARZON) and nearby regions.

The Baguio City - Individual Writing Categories Intensive Training is slated August 26 to 28. Seminar fee is PhP4,000 which includes free meals, one night accommodation, and electronic seminar materials. More details can be found at facebook.com/associatededitorsco/

The Libro Ilokano 2016 – 2nd Ilokano Book Fair will be held from August 26 to 27 at Student-Alumni Complex Lobby of the University of the Philippines Baguio. The festivities include a book launch, performances, lectures as well as book signing, featuring 14 books published by Gunglo dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano iti Filipinas (GUMIL Filipinas) and other publishers. Activity starts at 8:00 AM, August 26.

More details can be found at Libro Ilokano Facebook event page.

The first ever Novelistas Fiction Festival is on August 27, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Baguio Convention Center. Presented by Novelistas Publishing together with Tatak Novelista, the event brings together live bands, a host of published authors and cosplayers, workshops, and lots of books for sale. Present at the festival are wattpad writers OwwSIC, ElleStrange, Pilosopotasya, and many more. More details can be found at Novelistas Publishing Facebook Page.

There have been 1,199 cases recorded by the City Health Service Office from January to July, which is five times higher than the 239 cases recorded in the same period in 2015. Of the said cases, there are already two recorded deaths. Dengue cases are still expected to rise this rainy season when dengue virus-carrying mosquitoes thrive. Extra caution as well as prevention measures is advised.